Why has the Income Tax Department asked taxpayers to ignore advance tax emails?

Many taxpayers were surprised to receive emails about advance tax payments mentioning "significant transactions". But soon after complaints surfaced, the Income Tax Department asked people to ignore those messages. So what exactly went wrong?

Many taxpayers were left confused this week after receiving unexpected reminder emails from the Income Tax Department about advance tax payments. The emails suggested that certain taxpayers had undertaken “significant transactions” that did not appear to match their advance tax payments.

However, several recipients soon pointed out that the transactions mentioned in these emails were either incorrect or not related to them at all. As complaints started surfacing online, the department stepped in with a clarification, asking taxpayers to ignore the communication for now.

Responding to the issue, the Income Tax Department posted a clarification on X, acknowledging that there had been an error in the advance tax e-campaign emails. It wrote, "Kind attention taxpayers! Clarification has been issued regarding certain email communications sent under the Advance Tax e-Campaign for AY 2026–27 (FY 2025–26)."

The department said it appreciates taxpayers who flagged the issue and apologised for the inconvenience caused. Officials also said they are working with their service provider to fix the problem.

In its message, the department stated that taxpayers should ignore the earlier email communication related to the Advance Tax e-Campaign for Assessment Year 2026-27 (Financial Year 2025-26).

The emails sent to taxpayers claimed that the department had reasons to believe their advance tax payments did not align with their financial activity. To support this claim, the emails also listed so-called “significant transactions” allegedly undertaken by the taxpayer during the year. These transactions typically included financial activities that the tax department tracks through reporting systems.